Mavericks Hotshots Again

The figures were staggering. The Dallas Mavericks shot 68.8%, made 71.4% of their three-point shots and 100% of their free throws during a dizzying 42-point second-quarter sprint Tuesday that overwhelmed the Clippers.

The teams played the second half only because it says you must in the NBA rule book. The only lingering question was what the final score would be after the Mavericks built a 36-point lead in the third quarter en route to a 122-95 romp over the Clippers that hushed the doubters at the American Airlines Center after their 30-point collapse Friday against the Lakers.

“That thing in L.A. the other night with the Lakers,” Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said. “That won’t happen again. Ever.”

And the Mavericks did most of their damage Tuesday without their best player, Dirk Nowitzki, who suffered a sprained right ankle after teammate Popeye Jones fell on him with 2:58 remaining in the first quarter.

Nowitzki’s status for tonight’s game against the Spurs at San Antonio was termed uncertain by Coach Don Nelson. He needed assistance from the Mavericks’ medical staff to reach the locker room.

The Clippers had lost Eric Piatkowski by then to a hip injury.

His status for Friday’s game against the Spurs also is uncertain.

“We’ll wait and see,” Gentry said when asked about Piatkowski, who had four points in six minutes.

“They lose Dirk and here we are thinking he’s their best player, but they didn’t miss a beat,” power forward Elton Brand said after the Clippers’ three-game winning streak had ended. “They’re unstoppable when they shoot like that. They hit big shots. Shot after shot.”

Asked if he had seen a team shoot the way the Mavericks did, particularly from the perimeter, Brand said, “Never.”

One night after knocking off New Orleans and ending the Hornets’ 11-game home winning streak to start the season, the Clippers seemed bent on pestering the Mavericks and threatening to upend the league’s top team. The Clippers (9-13) were within 40-35 after Andre Miller drove for a basket with 6:34 left in the half.

Dallas (19-2) promptly went on a 28-10 run before halftime, making five three-point baskets and turning the game into a rout.

The Clippers were sent reeling, thanks in part to 17 points from Dallas point guard Steve Nash and 13 from his backup, Nick Van Exel.

With Piatkowski out, the Clippers had no answer for the Mavericks’ outside shooting. Dallas played a collapsing zone defense, challenging the other Clippers to beat them from long range.

Brand had 20 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes, his 18th double-double and his seventh game in a row with 20 or more points. But he didn’t play in the fourth quarter, leaving garbage time to the reserves.

Quentin Richardson had 16 points and 10 rebounds as his progress from a sprained right knee that sidelined him for most of training camp continues. Wang Zhizhi, a former Maverick, added nine points in 19 minutes, entering the game to a chorus of boos and a recorded ringing of a gong. Wang would later chuckle and say he had no problem with the sound effect.

Otherwise, it was a night to marvel at the Mavericks.

“That second quarter really put us behind,” Brand said. “I don’t think there will be too many Laker miracles any more. I think they’re going to try to protect big leads. I’m sure they got a lecture for that one, but I was hoping we could do something.”

The Mavericks slowed significantly after outscoring the Clippers by 42-24 in the second quarter. Van Exel and Michael Finley scored 24 points apiece. Nash added 17 and center Shawn Bradley had scored 13 by game’s end.

Dallas made 43 of 81 shots (53.1%), 14 of 24 three-pointers (58.3%) and 22 of 24 free throws (91.7%). The Clippers’ totals were 36-for-88 shooting (40.9%), four for 18 on three-pointers (22.2%) and 19 for 24 at the line (79.2%).

“They are a great offensive team,” Gentry said of the Mavericks. “When they shoot the ball like that, they are impossible to beat.”